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ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
Results-Based Action Plan
April 1, 2006, to March 31, 2009
For the Implementation of Section 41
of the
Official Languages Act
May 2006
General Information – ACOA
◊ Federal department/agency:
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
644 Main Street
P.O. Box 6051
Moncton, New Brunswick
Canada E1C 9J8
http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca
◊ Agency Mandate
The Agency’s mandate is derived from Part I of the Government Organization Act, Atlantic Canada 1987, R.S., c G-5-7, otherwise known as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act. Its purpose is to “increase opportunity for economic development in Atlantic Canada and, more particularly, to enhance the growth of earned incomes and employment opportunities in that region.”
The Government of Canada remains committed – indeed, it is a legislated requirement – to reducing regional disparities and ensuring that Canadians in all parts of the country benefit from a strong economy and the services that such an economy can provide.
It is within this context that the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is mandated to address the economic development challenges facing Atlantic Canada, identify and correct structural weaknesses in the economy, help communities and businesses overcome barriers, and find new opportunities for growth. It is also within this context that ACOA is committed to helping the region make the transition to a more innovative, productive and competitive economy.
ACOA works in partnership with Atlantic Canadians to improve the economy of communities in the region. This is accomplished through a regional strategy that aims to improve economic performance and enhance the region’s competitiveness.
Working with partners in all levels of government, the private sector, academia and non-governmental organizations, ACOA seeks to advance the government’s agenda for economic opportunities and innovation in order to serve the needs of business, organizations, individuals and communities in Atlantic Canada.
◊ Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Honourable Peter MacKay
◊ Officials responsible for the implementation of Part VII of the OLA
ACOA President Monique Collette
Champion Janet Gagnon
Manager, Official Kurt Inder
Languages and 644 Main Street
Multiculturalism P.O. Box 6051
Moncton, New Brunswick
Canada E1C 9J8
Telephone: (506) 851-3857
Facsimile: (506) 851-2966
E-mail: Kurt.Inder@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
National Co-ordinator Pierrette Williams
644 Main Street
P.O. Box 6051
Moncton, New Brunswick
Canada E1C 9J8
Telephone: (506) 851-3364
Facsimile: (506) 851-2966
E-mail: Pierrette.Williams@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
◊ Regional Co-ordinators
New Brunswick
Victor Paul-Elias
570 Queen Street, 3rd floor
P.O. Box 578
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 5A6
Telephone: (506) 452-3037
Facsimile: (506) 452-3285
E-mail: Victor.Paul-Elias@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Nova Scotia
Chuck Maillet
1801 Hollis Street, Suite 600
P.O. Box 2284, STN M
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3C8
Telephone: (902) 426-5790
Facsimile: (902) 426-2054
E-mail : Chuck.Maillet@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Prince Edward Island
Caroline Landry
Royal Bank Building, 3rd floor
100 Sydney Street
P.O. Box 40
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
C1A 7K2
Telephone: (902) 368-0500
Facsimile: (902) 566-7098
E-mail: Caroline.Landry@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
Wayne Quilty
Fortis Tower, Suite 505
4 Herald Avenue
Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
A2H 4B4
Telephone: (709) 637-4478
Facsimile: (709) 637-4483
E-mail: Wayne.Quilty@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
D.A. Landry
70 Crescent Street
Sydney, Nova Scotia
B1S 2Z7
Telephone: (902) 564-3617
Facsimile: (902) 564-3825
E-mail: DA.Landry@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
◊ Fiscal years covered :
From April 1, 2006, to March 31, 2009
Summary of Main Expected Results – ACOA
Context
ACOA, through its activities related to the implementation of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act, contributes by enhancing economic development in official language minority communities (OLMCs) in the Atlantic provinces. ACOA’s mandate is to promote economic development in the Atlantic region, and as such, ACOA intends to cooperate in various initiatives proposed by OLMCs.
Awareness
ACOA will continue efforts among its employees to ensure they understand their obligations in respect to Section 41 of the OLA. Awareness sessions will be offered to staff, as well as to partners offering services in collaboration with the Agency. In addition, articles will be published on ACOA’s website to inform staff of initiatives aimed at OLMCs.
Consultations
The Action Plan for 2006-2009 calls for ACOA staff to continue their involvement with OLMCs. This involvement enables the sharing of information and priorities between ACOA and the communities, and the Agency can determine what the needs and priorities of the OLMCs are and to take measures within its mandate.
Communications
In order to communicate the activities related to the implementation of Section 41 of the OLA, ACOA’s Official Language Action Plan, as well as the annual status reports, will be available on the Agency website. All this information will be available in both official languages. Access to this information will enable OLMCs to be informed on various initiatives and programs delivered by the Agency.
Co-ordination and Liaison
ACOA will continue its participation on numerous national committees in order to share best practices and acquire new ideas for implementation within the Agency. In addition to this, ACOA will participate in interdepartmental committees and regional committees to discuss the enhancement of vitality within OLMCs.
Funding and Program Delivery
Through its Business Development Program, ACOA will continue to support OLMC projects that fall within its mandate. ACOA will also continue to administer e-learning projects as well as youth internships that come from an MOU signed between Industry Canada and ACOA.
Accountability
ACOA will continue to meet its obligations to Canadian Heritage by submitting annual status reports. There will also continue to be a sharing of information, on a regular basis, among the OL champion, the manager responsible for the implementation of Section 41, the national co-ordinator, and regional co-ordinators. Internally, ACOA will introduce new tools to ensure transparency related to the implementation of Section 41 when funding is allotted to clients.
Communication Plan – ACOA
Distribution list
o Members of the Committee of Deputy Ministers on Official Languages
o Members of the Committee of Champions on Official Languages for ACOA
o Regional ACOA co-ordinators responsible for the implementation of Section 41 of the OLA
o Directors general of ACOA
o Regional vice-presidents of ACOA
o Official languages co-ordinator for Industry Canada (regional and national)
o Members of the Federal Council official languages sub-committee in the Atlantic provinces
o OLMC groups and organizations such as:
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Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité (RDÉE) in the Atlantic Region
-
Société des Acadiens et Acadiennes du Nouveau-Brunswick (SAANB)
-
Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick (CENB)
-
Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador (FFTNL)
-
Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FANE)
-
Société de développement de la Baie acadienne (SDBA)
-
Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDENE)
-
Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin (SSTA)
-
Société nationale de l’Acadie (SNA)
The results-based action plan from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009 is also available on the Agency’s website at:
http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/e/library/parliament.shtml#official
ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
Detailed action plan for the period April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009
A. AWARENESS (in-house activities)
(Training, information, orientation, awareness, communication and other activities carried out in-house in order to educate employees and/or senior managers of the federal department/agency about linguistic duality and the priorities of OLMCs; senior manager contracts and recognition programs; taking the viewpoint of OLMCs into account during research, studies and investigations.)
Main expected results
- Agency employees and management are aware of their responsibilities pertaining to the Official Languages Act (OLA).
- Employees in the Communications unit within each region are informed of the Agency’s obligations as they relate to the OLA.
- Policy staff are informed of ACOA’s responsibilities under the OLA when implementing new programs or services.
- Economic development organizations who deliver certain services on the Agency’s behalf are made aware of their obligationsunder the OLA.
Main activities planned to achieve expected results
Head Office
- Regional tour in the Atlantic provinces to deliver sessions to Agency staff pertaining to their responsibilities under the OLA.
- Regular discussions with ACOA employees looking for information regarding their obligations under the OLA as it relates to financial requests from clients.
- Publication of OL articles on the Agency website, “Rendezvous”.
- Quarterly meetings of the OLA committee for ACOA (HR and Community Development with champions).
- Regular meetings with the OLA champions’ steering committee (directors of HR and CD, and managers and champion).
- Regional tour of all Communications units throughout the Agency to inform them of the Agency’s obligations under the OLA and to assure respect of these obligations when dealing with clients who receive Agency funding.
-
New Brunswick (one session)
-
Nova Scotia (one session)
-
Prince Edward Island (one session)
-
ECBC (one session)
-
Head Office, Moncton (one session)
- Presentation to policy staff on OLA responsibilities.
- Presentations to Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) and Community Economic Development Agencies (CEDAs), related to their obligations to the OLA as a client receiving funding from ACOA.
-
Nova Scotia /Cape Breton
-
New Brunswick
-
Prince Edward Island
- Presentations to SEED Capital coordinators as it relates to their obligations to the OLA.
-
Nova Scotia /Cape Breton
-
New Brunswick
-
Prince Edward Island
Indicators to measure results
- Employees are made aware of their responsibilities regarding Section 41 of the OLA and include an OL clause in their letters of offer to clients.
-
On an annual basis, create awareness with 10 employees;
-
Deliver approximately 15 sessions to the various regions across the Agency (for employees and management)
- Awareness to employees on an annual basis regarding Section 41 obligations.
- A minimum of three articles per year will be published in Rendezvous.
- A minimum of four meetings per year will be organized by the OLA champion.
- A minimum of two meetings per year will be held.
- Ensure that officers include an OL clause in all letters of offer or purchase orders as it relates to our clients responsibilities relating to the Agency’s OL obligations.
- A minimum of one meeting/presentation or communication with policy staff on a yearly basis.
- Create awareness amongst the CBDCs and the CEDAs as it relates to their obligations under the Part VII and part IV of the OLA.
- Create awareness among the SEED Capital co-ordinators as it relates to their obligations under the OLA.
ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
Detailed action plan for the period April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009
B. CONSULTATION (sharing of ideas and information with OLMCs)
(Activities (e.g. committees, discussions, meetings) through which the department/agency consults the OLMCs and dialogues with them to identify their needs and priorities or to understand potential impacts on their development; activities (e.g. round tables, working groups) to explore possibilities for co-operation within the existing mandate of the department/agency or as part of developing a new program or policy; participation in consultations with OLMCs co-ordinated by other government bodies; consultation of OLMCs by regional offices to determine their concerns and needs.)
Main expected results
- The OLMCs are aware of the products and services offered by the Agency.
- Solid partnerships are established between community associations and ACOA personnel. Bilateral co-operation is ongoing.
- Access to ACOA programs is facilitated by having Agency personnel present at various OLMC meetings.
- The OLMCs have the opportunity to share their priorities with ACOA personnel.
- The OLMCs are part of the regular clientele served by regional offices.
Main activities planned to achieve expected
Head Office
- Participate in annual meetings of the OLMCs representative organizations in each region. (NB, NS, NL, PEI)
- Organize an annual meeting with the OLMCs representative organizations to discuss possible collaboration, such as:
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Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDENE)
-
Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick (CENB)
-
Société de développement de la Baie acadienne (SDBA)
-
Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador (FFTNL) and Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité – Newfoundland and Labrador (RDÉE NL)
- Organize a meeting between the four Atlantic provinces RDÉEs and the regional co-ordinators responsible for the implementation of Section 41 of the OLA for ACOA.
- Work with the Atlantic RDÉEs to examine methods of service delivery to OLMCs (demand vs offer).
- Explore different sources of information regarding existing federal interdepartmental committees (such as the one in Newfoundland and Labrador), in order to adopt a common approach for the Atlantic provinces.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Regular communication with partners:
-
FFTNL
-
ARCO
-
AFL
-
FJTNL
-
AFSJ
-
RDÉE.
- Participation on the Francophone Affairs Steering Committee - Comité d’orientation aux affaires francophones (COAF).
- Participation on the ARCO resources committee.
- Collaboration with the RDÉE of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Participation on the steering committee for the Port au Port service delivery improvement project.
- Participation on the management committee for the Economic Zone 9 bilingual liaison officer internship project.
Nova Scotia
- Regular communication with partners such as:
- Participation on the board of the CDENE.
- Collaboration with the RDÉE of Nova Scotia.
Cape Breton
- Via Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC):
-
La Société Saint-Pierre
-
La Commission de développement de Chéticamp
-
Le Conseil des arts de Chéticamp
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Le Centre La Picasse
-
L’Administration portuaire de Petit-de-Grat
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L’Association de développement LeMoine
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L’Association touristique de Chéticamp
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L’Association musicale acadienne de Chéticamp
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La Coopérative Radio Chéticamp Ltée
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L’Administration portuaire de Chéticamp
New Brunswick
- Collaboration with the RDÉE of New Brunswick.
- Regular consultations with:
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le Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick
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l’Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick
-
RADarts
-
la Société des Acadiens et Acadiennes du Nouveau-Brunswick
-
Centre Scolaire Samuel de Champlain, Saint-Jean
Prince Edward Island
- Regular communication with partners:
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Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin
-
Société de développement de la Baie acadienne (SDBA)
-
Société Éducative de Île-du-Prince-Édouard
-
Association des femmes acadiennes et francophone Francophones de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard
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Jeunesse Acadienne Ltée
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Association touristique Évangéline
-
Chambre de commerce acadienne et francophone de l’Î.-P.-É.
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Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité (RDÉE)
-
Le Conseil de développement coopératif
- Close working relationship with parties involved in economic development and promotion of the French language and Acadian culture.
- Collaboration with the Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité (RDÉE) of Prince Edward Island and the Government of PEI.
Indicators to measure results
- Participate in two to four AGMs per year.
- Organize a total of two to four meetings per year.
- Organize a minimum of one meeting per year.
- Study to be completed in June 2006 and recommendations to follow.
- Adoption of a common interdepartmental approach for Atlantic Canada.
- Organize or attend two to four meetings per year.
- Participation in two to three meetings per year.
- Participation in two to four meetings per year.
- Participation in two to four meetings per year.
- Participation in two to four meetings per year.
- Participation in two to four meetings per year.
- Organize or attend two to four meetings per year.
- Participation in two to four meetings per year.
- Participation in two to four meetings per year.
- Participation in two to four meetings per year.
- Organize or attend two to four meetings per year.
- Organize or attend two to four meetings per year.
- Participation in a minimum of two meetings per year.
- Participation in two to four meetings per year.
ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
Detailed action plan for the period April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009
C. COMMUNICATIONS (Transmission of information to OLMCs)
(External communications activities to inform OLMCs about the activities, programs and policies of the department/agency and to promote the bilingual character of Canada; inclusion of OLMCs in all information and distribution lists; use of the department’s/agency’s website to communicate with OLMCs.)
Main Expected Results
- The OLMCs are able to access information regarding ACOA programs and services, in the language of their choice, via the Agency’s website.
- The OLMCs are informed regarding planned activities concerning their community.
- The OLMCs are informed regarding various initiatives and programs offered by ACOA.
Main activities planned to achieve expected results
Head Office
- Action Plan for 2006-2009 available in both official languages on the Agency website.
- Annual status report available in both official languages on the Agency website.
- Publication of articles in the 41-42 bulletin of Canadian Heritage.
- Publication of official languages articles on the Agency website.
- Available on the website, in both official languages, by September 30, 2006.
- Available on the website, in both official languages, by September 30 of each year.
- A minimum of three articles per year will be submitted for publication in the 41-42 bulletin.
- A minimum of three articles per year will be published on the Agency website.
Indicators to measure results
- Available on the website, in both official languages, by September 30, 2006.
- Available on the website, in both official languages, by September 30 of each year.
- A minimum of three articles per year will be submitted for publication in the 41-42 bulletin.
- A minimum of three articles per year will be published on the Agency website.
ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
Detailed action plan for the period April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009
D. CO-ORDINATION AND LIAISON (Does not include funding – internal co-ordination and liaison with other government institutions)
(Co-ordination activities (research, studies, meetings, etc.) carried out by the department/agency itself along with other federal departments or other levels of government; participation in activities organized by other federal departments, other levels of government, etc.; participation of official languages champion, national and regional co-ordinators, etc., in various government forums.)
Main expected results
- ACOA participates in meetings and committees related to immigration in Francophone communities, and identifies a potential role within its mandate.
- ACOA participates in the national meetings of co-ordinators responsible for Section 41 of the OLA in order to share best practices and acquire new ideas from other co-ordinators for implementation within ACOA.
- The national co-ordinator informs, on a regular basis, the regional co-ordinators and the OL champion of the progress of the Section 41 file.
- The ACOA staff responsible for the implementation of Section 41 are informed regarding the OL file.
- ACOA participates in the national Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité meetings in order to share best practices and acquire new ideas from other regions to incorporate them within the Agency.
- The ACOA staff responsible for the implementation of Part VII of the OLA keep the president informed on the OL file throughout the Agency, and inform her of any new developments in the OL file.
- ACOA staff responsible for the implementation of Part VII are all informed of new developments related to OLA.
- The regional co-ordinators responsible for Part VII of the OLA are informed on the OL file in their province. They share best practices and acquire new ideas for implementation within their regions.
- The regional co-ordinators responsible for Part VII of the OLA are informed on the OL file in their province. They share best practices and acquire new ideas for implementation within their region.
- The regional co-ordinators responsible for Part VII of the OLA are informed on the OL file in their province. They share best practices and acquire new ideas for implementation within their region.
Main activities planned to achieve expected results
Head Office
- Participate on the CIC steering committee for immigration within minority Francophone communities.
- Participate on the New Brunswick round table on immigration within francophone communities in minority situation.
- Attend quarterly meetings of the national co-ordinators responsible for the implementation of Section 41.
- Organize quarterly meetings with the five ACOA regional co-ordinators responsible for Section 41, to share information on the file and discuss matters related to the development of OLMCs.
- Attend the ACOA OL champions
- Attend quarterly meetings of the Réseau national de développement économique et d’employabilité (RDÉE Canada).
- Participate on the official languages advisory committee to deputy ministers.
- Attend various symposiums and conferences pertaining to Part VII of the OLA.
Nova Scotia
- Participate in the official language subcommittee of the Nova Scotia Federal Council.
New Brunswick
- Participate in the official language subcommittee of the New Brunswick Federal Council.
- Participate in the Comité Communautés Acadiennes du NB et ministères fédéraux committee.
Prince Edward Island
- Participate in the official languages subcommittee of the PEI Federal Council.
Indicators to measure results
- Participate in a minimum of two meetings per year.
- Participate in a minimum of two meetings per year.
- Participate in two to four meetings per year.
- Organize a minimum of four meetings per year either in person, via videoconference or via teleconference.
- Attend meetings organized by the champion.
- Attend two to four meetings per year.
- Participate in meetings that are organized.
- Participate in symposiums and conferences that are organized.
- Participate in two to four meetings per year.
- Participate in two to four meetings per year.
- Participate in two to four meetings per year.
- Participate in two to four meetings per year.
ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
Detailed action plan for the period April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009
E. FUNDING AND PROGRAM DELIVERY
(Implementation of the federal department/agency’s programs and delivery of its services; funding, alone or in co-operation with other federal departments/agencies, of OLMCs in the delivery of the department/agency’s programs and services.)
Main expected results
- The ACOA district offices are continuously working with Francophone groups and associations within OLMCs in order to support initiatives that fall within the Agency’s mandate.
- The OLMCs have access and apply for funding to ACOA.
- ACOA is proceeding with the implementation of the Government of Canada Official Language Action Plan
- ACOA takes the geographic dispersion of OLMCs into consideration and takes measures to make its products and services available to communities that are secluded.
- ACOA explores various options for interdepartmental collaboration to enhance the vitality of the OLMCs.
Main activities planned to achieve expected results
- Pilot projects in tele-learning: under an MOU between ACOA and Industry Canada, funding was made available to post-secondary, Francophone teaching institutions in Atlantic Canada for projects involved in content development towards e-learning.
- Explore the roles and expectations regarding the Acadian World Congress of 2009 with Canadian Heritage and the ACOA’s New Brunswick regional office.
- Implementation of internship initiative within the Government of Canada Official Language Action Plan.
- Through its current program offering, ACOA supports non-profit organizations within OLMCs.
- There are four Canadian Business Service Centres (CBSC) in the Atlantic provinces, one in each province, which supply services in both official languages relating to products and services in entrepreneurship. The CBSC will continue its outreach activities in the region to provide services to OLMCs. These services are offered via a toll-free line, Internet, fax, and in person (as appointment needed).
- ACOA, through the Community Futures Program of the Government of Canada, provides contributions to the CBDCs, which are independent, non-profit organizations, in order to assist entrepreneurs in rural regions in accessing the information, the advice and the funding they need to succeed. The CBDCs will continue their outreach activities to provide services to OLMCs.
Indicators to measure results
- A total of seven projects were funded for a total of $2,010,156.00.
- Clarification of roles regarding the Acadian Congress in 2009.
- A total of 10 internships are forecasted for fiscal 2006-2007:
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NB – 2, contribution: $80,000
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PEI – 1, contribution: $40,000
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NS –1, contribution: $40,000
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NL – 1, contribution: $40,000
- For fiscal 2007-2008:
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NB – 2, contribution: $40,000
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PEI – 1, contribution: $40,000
-
NS – 1, contribution: $80,000
-
NL – 1, contribution: $40,000
- ACOA will use various instruments to support activities in OLMCs.
- An average of 33,000 clients per year receive in-person* services from the CBSC, and the website receives approximately 600,000 visits. (*in-person: telephone, e-mail, fax or mail)
- There are a total of 41 CBDCs in the Atlantic provinces, which serve approximately 6,000 SMEs.
- The CBDCs will be sensitized to the needs of OLMCs.
ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
Detailed action plan for the period April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009
F. ACCOUNTABILITY
(Activities through which the department/agency integrates its work on the implementation of Section 41 of the OLA with the department/agency’s planning and accountability mechanisms (e.g. report on plans and priorities, departmental performance report, departmental business plan, status report on implementation of Section 41 of the OLA, etc.); internal audits and evaluations of programs and services; regular review of programs and services as well as policies by senior managers of the federal department/agency to ensure implementation of Section 41 of the OLA.)
Main expected results
- ACOA undertakes an internal planning process, in collaboration with its regional Section 41 co-ordinators to assist OLMCs in their development.
- An internal evaluation system is incorporated in the Agency’s project summary form (PSF).
- An annex containing ACOA’s obligations under the OLA is added to all purchase orders (O&M budgets).
- Annual reports are prepared in order to measure investment towards OLMCs.
- Sharing of information on a regular basis with regional co-ordinators and the OL champion.
- Internal consultations to ensure the respect of official language modifications following the adoption of S-3 and the implementation of “positive measures”.
- ACOA undertakes a benchmarking exercise to better understand the impact of its investments in OLMCs from 2000 to 2006, and to implement the most precise performance indicators to measure results for future years.
Main activities planned to achieve expected results
- Regular meeting with the regional coordinators to specify priorities and activities for the fiscal year.
- Add a mandatory OL section to the electronic project processing system to explain the obligations under the OLA.
- Add an annex on official language responsibilities to all purchase orders.
- Compilation of status report to submit to Canadian Heritage.
- Compilation of annual reports such as:
- Compilation and distribution of minutes following meetings of regional coordinators and others relating to the implementation of Part VII of the OLA.
- Consultations with Agency Legal Services to ensure conformity with the new S-3 law that deems Part VII of the act to be justiciable.
- Consultations with ACOA’s DGs to ensure conformity of programs with Part VII of the OLA, in view of changes made by Bill S-3.
- Consultations with regional VPs to know what “positive measures” they are currently undertaking in order to respect section 41 of the OLA in its current form.
- Memoranda sent to ACOA DGs to outline the Agency’s obligations related to the OLA and to insure that all Memoranda to Cabinet contain an OL clause.
- Revision of the Agency’s internal G&C policy manual.
- Undertake a survey within Business Development, Policy and Co-ordination and Community Development, as well as with the regional offices to determine the measures undertaken to comply with Section 41 of the OLA.
- Meet with the office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and Human Resources and the Community Development section of ACOA in order to discuss the Agency’s responsibilities pertaining to funding agreements with clients and the OL clauses included in contracts.
- Meet with the office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and Human Resources and the Community Development section in order to discuss complaints received regarding third-party deliverers.
- Discussion with Agency legal services regarding the overlap between Parts IV and VII of the OLA and the reporting of complaints on Part VII to the Department of Canadian Heritage, as appropriate.
- Explore available options in order to identify the impact of ACOAs investment:
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Dollars invested and their impact
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How to measure “vitality” – then, now, and future
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Performance indicators
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Integration of indicators in current ACOA tools
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Identify monitoring tools
Indicators to measure results
- Meeting in the spring of each fiscal year to oversee the implementation of the 2006-2009 action plan.
- New PSF official language annex added during fiscal 2006-2007.
- Annex on official languages responsibilities added to purchase orders during fiscal 2006-2007.
- Submitted to Canadian Heritage by May of each year.
- Submitted to the OL champion, Industry Canada and Canadian Heritage every year.
- Continuous sharing of information.
- Hold meetings to define “positive measures”.
- Hold individual meetings to discuss our obligations under S-3.
- Hold individual meetings to discuss ACOA’s obligations under S-3.
- Memorandum sent on an annual basis as a reminder of the Agency’s obligations related to official languages.
- Updated policy that reflects recent changes of the act (deadline, March 2007).
- Gain knowledge on various measures undertaken within the Agency related to Section 41 of the OLA.
- Obtain clarification from the commissioner.
- Obtain clarification relating to third parties.
- Adoption of a process to resolve complaints and to communicate with Canadian Heritage, and also a joint complaint processing process with the Human Resources Branch and the Community Development section.
- Start process in 2006, with results or tools by March 31, 2008